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Quantitative Geodiversity Assessment of the Fruška Gora Mt. (North Serbia) by Using the Geodiversity Index

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Abstract

The Fruška Gora Mt., as a dominant orographic complex in the Pannonian plain, was selected for a pioneer geodiversity quantification study area due to its unique geology and soil properties. The methodology is based on the geodiversity quantification assessment approach of Serrano and Ruiz-Flaño (Geogr Helv 62:140–147, 2007). It employed a 500 × 500 m grid approach on several maps (lithological, geomorphological, topographical, and pedological) at scales of 1:50.000 to 1:300.000, together with a 30-m resolution digital elevation model for deriving sub-indices and a topographic roughness. The geodiversity index values (Gd) indicate that the highest geodiversity sites are found on the north, north-east and south-western part of the investigated mountain: in steep-sided valleys, along the horst and loess cliffs facing the Danube River. The obtained results are compared with the already recognized in situ geosite location network. This approach can be applied in the given area for geoheritage protection, conservation, and promotion at different levels (from local to national level). Following the results of this study, the criteria for the definition of conservation areas with abiotic significance should be considered, as there is no legal protection of any kind for the areas with the highest geodiversity index values outside the National Park area. Also, it is a potentially effective tool for supporting decision-making processes regarding the management and conservation of natural areas or regions at different scales with further possible applications in Serbia and elsewhere in Europe.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, Faculty of Sciences, Tourism and Hotel Management, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia

    Tanja Micić Ponjiger, Tin Lukić, Ðorđije A. Vasiljević, Thomas A. Hose, Biljana Basarin, Slobodan B. Marković, Miroslav D. Vujičić, Uglješa Stankov, Dragana Blagojević & Ivana Blešić

  2. Scientific-Technological Center NIS Naftagas D.O.O., Narodnog fronta 12, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia

    Tanja Micić Ponjiger

  3. Faculty of Geography, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 3/3, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia

    Tin Lukić, Miško M. Milanović, Aleksandar Valjarević & Nevena Nekić

  4. School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1RL, UK

    Thomas A. Hose

  5. Institute of Sports, Tourism and Service, South Ural State University, 76 Lenin Ave, Chelyabinsk, 454080, Russia

    Ivana Blešić

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  1. Tanja Micić Ponjiger
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  2. Tin Lukić
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  3. Ðorđije A. Vasiljević
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  7. Miško M. Milanović
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Correspondence to Tin Lukić.

Appendix

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  1. *These formations have only Era determined in the data source maps.

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Micić Ponjiger, T., Lukić, T., Vasiljević, Ð.A. et al. Quantitative Geodiversity Assessment of the Fruška Gora Mt. (North Serbia) by Using the Geodiversity Index. Geoheritage 13, 61 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-021-00572-w

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